CARDIFF Devils are closing in on a big, gritty forward and will know more today on when their team will be complete for the Elite League ice hockey run-in.

CARDIFF Devils are closing in on a big, gritty forward and will know more today on when their team will be complete for the Elite League ice hockey run-in.

New netminder Chris Whitley, who played for Dundee Stars last season, trained with the Devils team yesterday and head coach Gerad Adams is now intent on adding an impact forward.

Canadian Whitley will be in goal for Devils at Sheffield Steelers tomorrow and against league leaders Nottingham Panthers in Cardiff on Sunday, while Adams and bench coach Neil Francis are working flat out to bring in a new forward quickly.

They have searched North America plus Europe for the right man and Francis said: “We are making good progress, working to do this as fast as we can.”

Devils, though, are not in the hunt for former Braehead Clan player-coach Jordan Krestanovich, who left the Scottish club this month.

Rules mean he cannot be contacted by any other Elite League club.

Sheffield coach Ryan Finnerty is a long-standing friend of the player.

Krestanovich cannot play this weekend in Elite League hockey and Finnerty would only say: “He is still the property of Braehead Clan.”

Finnerty’s Sheffield team were in Challenge Cup action against Dundee Stars last night, while the former Devils captain is facing disciplinary action after blasting three match officials.

Finnerty was furious with referee Tom Darnell, linesmen Liam Sewell and Lee Young and described them as ‘idiots’ after they failed to spot an infraction before Nottingham scored a game-winning goal last weekend.

He has apologised, but a League disciplinary review is being held and he may still be fined or suspended.

Simon Kirkham, Elite League head of discipline, said: “It is unacceptable for any coach, player or team management to air their views and criticisms in such a public manner.”

New Devils goaltender Whitley, 29, will make his Devils debut at Sheffield, who are the team immediately above Cardiff.

Steelers badly need a win to maintain their hopes of getting back into the title chase, while an away win could keep alive Cardiff hopes of a top three finish.

Whitley will then hope for a big welcome on his home debut against Panthers at Cardiff Bay Arena the next evening.

n Ticket information for all Devils home matches is available from the Cardiff Bay Arena box office on Cardiff 029 2038 2001

WalesOnline is part of Media Wales, publisher of the Western Mail, South Wales Echo, Wales on Sunday and the seven Celtic weekly titles, offering you unique access to our audience across Wales online and in print.